New mage, Mage/Thief question

[Dancing Virginia]

OH YEAH...

I forgot to mention that there is a strategy guide and instruction book for IWD on one of the CDs you received in your ultimate edition package. Read through it. Very helpful.

[Roboghost]

I use the script on my generic mage that make him/her fight back with melee or sling if attacked--otherwise I control them. I use the same script type on my Druid and/or Cleric as well. That way they at least start attacking the bad guy before I realize...YIKE!

Here is a funny quote I picked off a review of IWD:
"Icewind Dale isn’t really about buying and selling, anyhow; it’s about hacking the limbs off of monsters and looting their 401(k) plans."

[Calagari]

I live in Lynchburg, South Central Va. I guess I am anything but a power gamer. Not that I wouldn't like to be one just that I find all the stats,classing, and required knowledge to play these games a bit overwhelming. I do enjoy the RPG genre very much, more than any other game classification. So I stick with it and try to pickup what knowledge I can.

I do have How and TOLM installed. It makes a big difference in the game resolution and sound pak. I only wish I could see the game in 3D. I tried to get it to run in 3D but it was designed for at best Win 98, I run XP. I went thorugh the process of trying to access the web site when I checked 3D but it is long gone I suspect. The upgraded resolution looks pretty good though so I can't complain.

This board is great! The people on this board really know the game and what it takes to play it throughly. They have helped me very well so far. I try to avoid asking too many questions so as not to wear out my welcome here. I find looking back through the past posts very helpful.

I am about to start the Eye of the Dragon now. I find the levelling up experience to be non eventful so far. For some reason I expceted to have more to do in this provess other than to just hit the accept button and memorize a few spells. I think once I got to add new skills to the fighter/ mage. Gold seems hard to come by I hope that changes as I progress in the game.

Having made it though Kresselack's Tomb makes me feel pretty good. The game is really pretty good. I can't believe I waited this long to play it. I have taken advantage of your newbie and party posts already. They helped me make my party. Good Luck as you play the game.

Originally posted by Dancing Virginia: Hi Calagari! I'm from Virginia, too. (Hence the screenname!) Originally from Williamsburg, now in Arlington. I just started IWD as well. NobleNick and Aerich's advice has been invaluable to me. Check out my previous posts on "Newbie Questions," "Rolling Characters", and "My Party - FINALLY." Great stuff and ultimately helpful to you, I hope. I am what NobleNick calls a "power gamer" and I'm really excited to work my way through the game with my awesome party. I played through to the beginning of Dragon's Eye before starting over again with my new party so you are in good company. I know that in the long run, my do-over will be well worth while. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this board as everyone is very kind and eager to share knowledge. I probably won't be able to help you too much right now, but at least we can compare notes as we work through thing simultaneously. I found IWD overwhelming at first, too, but hang in there...it gets better. Oh yeah...install Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster if you haven't done so already. Enhances graphics, items, and game play. Very cool. Cary

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Calagari: I only wish I could see the game in 3D. I tried to get it to run in 3D but it was designed for at best Win 98, I run XP. I went thorugh the process of trying to access the web site when I checked 3D but it is long gone I suspect. The upgraded resolution looks pretty good though so I can't complain.

Try opening the folder where you installed IWD, right click on IDmain.exe select properties, select the compatibility tab and check the "make this program compatible with windows 98". You might also want to open the icewind.ini file and change the line Display Frequency=60 to 70, 80 or 85. Also if you can, do disable antialiasing before running the game

Originally posted by Calagari: Gold seems hard to come by I hope that changes as I progress in the game.

Well, by the time you have lots of gold and enough to buy those magic items you will find that you already have found far better magic items and have nothing to spend your gold on.
One of the only merchants who has some interesting stuff to buy is Orrick The Grey... and his stock changes as you progress in the game so be sure to check on him every now and then.

[Calagari]

Try opening the folder where you installed IWD, right click on IDmain.exe select properties, select the compatibility tab and check the "make this program compatible with windows 98". You might also want to open the icewind.ini file and change the line Display Frequency=60 to 70, 80 or 85. Also if you can, do disable antialiasing before running the game


I tried this and the game was unmanageable. The lag time between a command and action was sooo slow it was unplayable. I will just go back to what I had. It is more likely a problem with my ATI X800 pro card and the gl drivers.